Hailie Deegan marked her ARCA Menards Series West return with a strong performance at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, sparking hopes for future victories in the 2026 season. After a year in the Indy NXT series, Deegan and Bill McAnally Racing are focused on turning their encouraging start into wins, demonstrating the determination behind her stock car racing resurgence.
Strong Start at Kern Raceway Builds Momentum
In her first race back in the ARCA Menards Series West since 2019, Hailie Deegan finished sixth at the season opener in Bakersfield’s Kern Raceway, running consistently near the front of the pack in the No. 16 Chevrolet. The event was extended by double overtime, and though Deegan qualified and finished sixth, her teammate Mason Massey captured victory on debut at the short track. Throughout the race, Deegan demonstrated competitive pace, holding her ground against a talented field during the overtime battles.
Next Steps After Open-Wheel Experience
Deegan’s 2025 season saw her competing full-time in the INDY NXT championship with HMD Motorsports, shifting to open-wheel racing after three years in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and a partial campaign in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024. Previously, she impressed as an ARCA rookie by securing Rookie of the Year in 2019, notching three wins, and securing a top-three championship finish with several top-five and top-10 results. Despite finding only limited success in the Truck Series and O’Reilly Series, including five top-10 finishes and a best result of sixth at tracks like Talladega and Texas, Deegan’s diverse experience has shaped her return to ARCA competition.
Reflections and Renewed Focus on Improvement
After racing at Kern Raceway, Deegan expressed optimism about her performance and her outlook for the remainder of the season. She highlighted the areas where slight improvements could help her and the team compete for victories:
“I had a lot of fun getting back to racing in my NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet for Bill McAnally Racing! We had good speed throughout the weekend and if I just clean up a few things on my side, I think we will be competing for wins really soon,” Deegan said (via Speedway Digest).
This sentiment reflects her belief that refining minor aspects of her driving and race approach will translate into contending for wins in upcoming ARCA Menards Series West events. Her return also marks a homecoming to stock car competition, where her aggressive but measured driving style has won praise in previous seasons.
Lessons from Kern and the Road Ahead
Sharing her experience from the comeback drive on social media, Deegan acknowledged how quickly she adapted to the return, emphasizing the positive progress with her new team:
“Took me a minute to get back used to everything, but was pretty happy with my speed. Needed to be a lil more aggressive on the last few restarts, but still a good race to build off of with the new team!” Deegan wrote.
Her comments echo the sentiment that learning from each outing and working closely with Bill McAnally Racing will be key steps as she continues to regain her edge in stock car racing. The next ARCA Menards Series West race is scheduled for Thursday at Phoenix Raceway, where Deegan and the team aim to build on their strong opener and address the need for more assertive moves during critical race moments.
Looking Forward: High Hopes for the 2026 ARCA Campaign
As Deegan chases her fourth series win, her trajectory signals renewed promise for both herself and Bill McAnally Racing. McAnally-Hilgemann Racing also plans to field her in select NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events this season, offering further opportunities to gain experience and momentum. With support from partners and a focus on improving the details, Deegan’s ARCA return is positioned to be a major storyline of the 2026 racing season, especially given her determination to translate hard lessons and past successes into podium finishes. The next races will reveal if Deegan can seize the breakthrough victory she and her team are targeting.
